Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced arrived on Steam to a negative reception this week, with players pointing to the $60 price tag and a slate of optional extras totaling $85. The uproar put Ubisoft on the defensive, prompting a statement that the additional packs are “entirely optional.” The situation, first detailed in the original report, highlights the friction between premium pricing and in-game monetization that continues to frustrate fans.
The backlash centers on Steam reviews, where the remaster quickly drew a mixed reception. Many complaints focus on the sheer volume of DLC listed on the store page—time-saver packs, weapon skins, and resource bundles that cost more than the base game. For a title that originally launched in 2013 without that aggressive storefront, the contrast feels stark.
The Backlash on Steam
Black Flag Resynced is a full-priced remaster of one of the series’ most beloved entries. Yet instead of celebrating a return to Edward Kenway’s Caribbean, players are calling out the monetization model. The Steam page shows DLC ranging from $2 resource packs to $15 collectible bundles, quickly adding up to $85. For longtime fans, the layout echoes free-to-play tactics inside a $60 box.
Community reactions on the Steam forums and social media accuse Ubisoft of double-dipping—charging a top-tier price while squeezing extra revenue through optional purchases. Some argue that time-saver packs, in particular, push players toward paying to skip grind, a design choice that rankles in a single-player adventure.
Ubisoft’s Response
Ubisoft’s comment to IGN was brief: “Additional Packs Are Entirely Optional.” The publisher did not address whether the in-game economy was rebalanced to push players toward the store, or if the DLC simply offers conveniences. Without a deeper explanation, the response may not quell the criticism, especially when similar pushback has dogged other Ubisoft releases.
The company’s history with microtransactions is long and checkered. For instance, the Assassin’s Creed gender blunder became a flashpoint for corporate tone-deafness, and now this Resynced launch risks reopening debates about how far optional purchases should go in a full-price game.
A Pattern of Monetization?
This isn’t the first time a Ubisoft remaster has shipped with a stacked DLC list. Previous titles in the franchise have included cosmetic and booster packs at launch, but the $85 gap between game and add-ons is a new high-water mark. The timing also lands as the industry grapples with the sustainability of $70 pricing and the role of live-service elements in single-player games.
For players, the core question remains: if these items are genuinely optional, why frontload the store page with them? The placement itself signals an expectation that many buyers will eventually open their wallets again. Without a clear statement on how the content affects the experience, skepticism will likely persist.
GamerHeadlines Takeaway
Ubisoft may believe that optional packs are a consumer-friendly choice, but the Steam reaction suggests the audience sees it differently. When a $60 remaster carries $85 of add-ons, the line between premium product and platform for recurring spending blurs. Until publishers provide clearer guardrails on what “optional” means in a full-priced game, these launch week backlashes will continue.
